I didn't fully grasp how deeply ingrained segregation was until seeing this film, particularly the restrictions placed on Black people—like being prohibited from cutting white children’s hair or publishing anything critical of white individuals. “Skeeter” (Emma Stone) comes back from school and starts to wonder if there’s a way to challenge things. Her plan is to write a book, relying on women from their Mississippi community for the content. These are maids with stories to share, but getting them to talk proves difficult. This stems from a sense of obligation, apprehension, and a shared understanding that upsetting the established order won't be tolerated by anyone around. She initially approaches “Aibileen” (Viola Davis), and after some convincing, Aibileen begins to share—and it’s quite revealing! It’s more than just an opportunity to raise awareness; it also allows the writer to reassess her bond with her mother (Allison Janney) and friendships with "Hilly" (Bruce Dallas Howard) and their unpleasant friend “Celia” (Jessica Chastain), as well as the household staff who often played a bigger role in raising the children than their wealthy parents did. When “Minny” (Octavia Spencer) loses her job, another woman joins the project, and the absurdity of—and hypocrisies within—this society become increasingly apparent alongside displays of intense prejudice. Janney and Howard do good work creating characters that are easy to understand, even if they’re pretty awful people. Spencer and Davis both generate empathy without being overly sentimental; it's obvious they outshine their wealthier employers. The men aren’t really central to the story, which keeps the focus on the narrative and avoids romantic subplots. Sissy Spacek also contributes a touch of refinement to what is often a quietly powerful critique of intolerance and bullying. Chocolate pie, anyone?

Source on TMDB